98 THE N[WYORKER D I R E C T D 'I A L t J Jt 1)1 1 I ! 11 \f Use our weekly listing to dial directly to advertisers. Call from any phone to reach product and service representatives: San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau Free vacation packet shows why San Dzego is perfect for vacations or etaways 619.236.1212 The New School Free - the New School Fall Bulletin. This catalog directory provides information on more than 1,500 adult education courses - and our B.A. and M.A. degree programs. 1 800.544.1978, Ext. 46 Paul Stuart New York's quintessential specialty store for men and women. Successfully redefining American classicism for over 50 years. 1.800.678.8278 Puerto Rico Tourism Company The zsland in the Caribbean that offers you a variety of active vacation experiences. For a free brochure: 1.800.866.STAR, Ext. 19092 Levenger Tools for serious readers. Levenger specializes in furniture, lighting, and reading equipment. For further information, and catalogue: 1.800.544.0880 Delta Queen@ and Mississippi Queen@ Steamboatin' - 2 to 12 night Mississippi and Ohio river paddlewheel vacations. For a free brochure: 1.800.543.1949 Giorgio Beverly Hills, Inc. Free brochure and bonus gift with purchase 1.800. GIORGIO Ext. 467 A o v E R. T 5 E M E N T THE NEW YORKER, OCTOBER 26, 1992 did by saying art was like an armchair. People remember that with horror who know nothing about the context-" "It would be perfectly honorable to argue that that was a very limited view," says Gerda Himmelblau "Honorable but impercipient. Who IS it that understands pleasure, Dr. Him- melblau? Old men like me, who can only just remember their bones not hurt- ing, who remember walking up a hill with a spring in their step like the red of the 'Red Studio.' Blind men who have had their sight restored and get giddy with the colors of trees and plastic mugs and the terrible blue of the sky. Pleasure is life, Dr. Himmelblau, and most of us don't have it, or not much, or mess it up ... and when we see it in those blues, those roses, those oranges, that vermil- lion, we should fall down and worship- for it is the thing itself Who knows a good armchair? A man who has bone cancer, or a man who has been tortured, he can recognize a good armchair." "And poor Peggi N ollett," says Dr. Himmelblau. "How can she see that, when she mostly wants to die?" "Someone intent on bringing an ac- tion for rape, or whatever she calls it, can't be all that keen on death. She'll want to savor her triumph over her dod- dering male victim." "She is confused, Professor Diss. She puts out messages of all kinds, cries for help, threats. . . . " "Disgusting art works ..." "It is truly not beyond her capacities to-to take an overdose and leave a let- ter accusing you, or me, of horrors, of insensitivity, of persecution. . . ." "Vengefulness can be seen for what it is. Spite and malice can be seen for what h " t ey are. "You have a robust confidence in hu- man nature, to think a committee will see. And you simplifY. The despair is as real as the spite. They are part of each h " ot ere "They are failures of imagination." "Of course," says Gerda Himmelblau. "Of course they are. Anyone who could imagine the terror, the pain, of those who survive a suicide-against whom a suicide is committed-could not carry it through." Her voice has changed. She knows it has. Perry Diss does not speak but looks at her, frowning slightly. Gerda Him- melblau, driven by some pact she made